Daniel Merida is an ATP Tour champion.
The Spaniard, only 21 years old, defeated Damir Dzumhur to claim his first professional title at the Umag Open on Saturday.
Merida, who hails from Madrid, defeated the Bosnian veteran player 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 inside the Goran Ivanisevic Stadium.
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Merida is now set to climb 24 places in the ATP rankings, achieving a career high of world number 58.
The young Spaniard has also – metaphorically – invoked the spirit of Carlos Alcaraz with his triumph in Croatia.
Carlos Alcaraz also won his first ATP Tour title at the Umag Open
Few could have predicted what Carlos Alcaraz would go on to achieve after winning the 2021 Umag Open.
Alcaraz, seeded seventh at the event, defeated Lucas Pouille, Andrej Martin, Filip Krajinovic, and compatriot Albert Ramos Vinolas to book his place in a first ATP final.
Alcaraz proceeded to dominate against a much more experienced Richard Gasquet in the final, triumphing 6-2, 6-2.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| R1 | Lucas Pouille | 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 |
| R2 | Andrej Martin | 6-3, 6-1 |
| QF | Filip Krajinovic | 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 |
| SF | Albert Ramos Vinolas | 6-2, 7-6 |
| F | Richard Gasquet | 6-2, 6-2 |
“Thank you all very much,” Alcaraz said in his post match remarks, as reported by Eurosport Spain. “To Juan Carlos [Fererro]… this would not have been possible without you.
“To my family, to the people of my city and to the fans.
“I want to congratulate Richard Gasquet on his great tournament. It’s always a pleasure to play against him.”
Alcaraz returned to the final the very next year, beating Facundo Bagnis and Giulio Zeppieri en route.
He was then defeated by Jannik Sinner, who has gone on to become the Spaniard’s greatest rival on the Tour.
The pair have shared 10 of the last 11 Grand Slam titles and exchanged the world number one ranking on numerous occasions.
Daniel Merida has now emulated Alcaraz’s feat, winning his first ATP Tour event in Umag.
Of course, few expect Merida to enjoy the same future success as Alcaraz has. However, there can be no doubting Merida’s talent and he is a player to keep a close eye on moving forward.
Daniel Merida reacts to joining Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as Umag title winners
“It was a crazy match,” Merida stated during his post-match remarks. “He [Damir] started playing so good in the second set.
“I was trying my best — the conditions were getting slower and slower, so it was tough for me, but I’m super happy with my level this week and for my first title.”
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“Two of the best guys in the world, so it’s amazing to be in this group of players,” Merida said of joining Alcaraz and Sinner in winning the Umag title.
“Of course they are far away, but I will keep working to try and get as close as possible to them.”
